28 September 2016

According to Colgar Sikopo, Director of Wildlife and National Parks at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibia has lost another six rhinos to poachers since the last figures regarding the illegal killings of rhinos were released in early August 2016. A total of (at least) 43 rhinos have been killed by poachers so far in 2016.

Poachers have killed about 10% of Namibia's rhinos in recent years - one rhino was recorded poached in 2011, two in 2012, four in 2013, 24 in 2014 and 127 in 2015. Out of the 201 rhinos killed by poachers since 2011, 184 were black rhinos and 17 were white rhinos. 137 black rhinos and eleven whhite rhinos were killed in Etosha National Park, 40 black rhinos got slaughtered in conservancies and six white rhinos as well as seven black rhinos on private land.

update (01 Oct 2016): Queues and longer processing times are still being experienced at Immigration at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg due to industrial action. The Airport encourages all passengers to proceed to the security checkpoint immediately after checking in.

update (29 Sept 2016): ACSA yesterday confirmed that "there are currently long queues observed at the various terminal security check points" at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg!

According to a travel update by South African low cost-carrier FlySafair, the airline has been advised this morning (28 Sept 2016) of potential industrial action on the part of the ACSA Airport Security Teams at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. It is expected that movement through the security gates in the Domestic Departures Terminal (!) will be slower due to long queues. Passengers are advised to arrive as early as possible!

27 September 2016

update (03 Oct 2016): The strike is over; Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company staff members affiliated to the South African Commercial Catering Workers’ Union (SACCAWU) returned to work this morning!

update (29 Sept 2016):Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company staff members affiliated to the South African Commercial Catering Workers’ Union (SACCAWU) went on strike on 28 Sept 2016, following the parties' failure to reach settlement on annual salary increases. Strategic operational changes have been implemented to limit the impact on visitors (see below!) We'll keep you posted!

The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) in Cape Town has received formal notification that staff members affiliated to the South African Commercial Catering Workers' Union (SACCAWU) will go on strike from 28 September 2016. This follows the parties being unable to reach a settlement on annual salary increases. TMACC has taken a strategic decision to implement some operational changes, to limit the impact on their visitors during the strike action:

Cableway operations will continue throughout the period of industrial action, albeit with a limited number of staff, which will restrict services

Operational hours will be reduced. The Cableway will operate from 08:30 to 16:30. Visitors affected by this will be able to obtain a refund in line with standard terms and conditions. Please check TMACC's website www.tablemountain.net for frequency of trips during this period

The following outlets will be operational during this period:

Lower Cable Station – Kiosk and the Exit Shop

Upper Cable Station – Table Mountain Café and the Shop at the Top

The Top Station Kiosk, Visitors' Centre and Wi-Fi Lounge will be closed during the strike action

23 September 2016

According to the Mastercard Global Cities Destination Index 2016, Johannesburg and Cape Town will be the most-visited (by overnight international visitors) cities in Sub-Saharan Africa with 3.60 million (+6.2% compared to 2015) visitors and 1.37 million (+6.2% compared to 2015) visitors respectively. While in Johannesburg, visitors are estimated to spend a total of US$1.7 billions; in Cape Town, visitors will spend US$1.0 billion. Cape Town will also be the fastest-growing destination city by international overnight visitors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CAGR 2009 & 2016 = +2.9%), followed by Johannesburg (CAGR 2009 & 2016 = +2.3%).In terms of purpose of visit (business, leisure plus other purposes) and expenditure breakdown by category (accommodation, food & beverage, shopping, local transport, local services, misc.), Cape Town will also be ranked first in Sub-Saharan Africa, followed by Johannesburg.

22 September 2016

The new and completely transformed Tshokwane Trading Post & Picnic Site in in the Kruger National Park, situated just an hour away from the Skukuza Rest Camp and and the Satara Rest Camp, will open on 01 October 2016. The transformed spot now offers comfortable stoep-style seating under the dappled light of a new structure, while the rest of the site is dominated by a huge sausage tree.
Visitors can prepare their own food on a gas skottel (which can be hired from the Tshokwane Trading Post, together with essentials like bacon, eggs and fresh bread), or opt for an authentic wood fire meal grilled at the base of a large stone chimney – a one-of-a-kind braai monument. Alternatively, visitors can order from the Tshokwane Trading Post and take the food with them as delicious padkos for their journey through Kruger National Park. Tshokwane Trading Post offers traditional "bush breakfast" (eggs, boerewors and coal-toasted “potbread”), boerie rolls, kudu wors rolls, homemade pies, delectable frikkadels or braaied lamb chops with South African staples like stywepap (stiff maize meal porridge) and tamatie smoer. Freshly prepared salads and traditional treats like homemade milk tart, a fire grilled Rolo-filled marshmallow sandwich or pineapple skewers dusted with cinnamon, pepper & brown sugar are also on offer. An array of unique souvenirs, Tshokwane branded clothing, picnic goodies and much more is also available from the Tshokwane Trading Post.

20 September 2016

CapeNature, the governmental organisation responsible for maintaining wilderness areas and public nature reserves in the Western Cape, provides free access to day visitors to all of their 25 reserves during the CapeNature Access Week from 19 - 25 September 2016. That means the standard conservation fee that day visitors usually pay will be waived for those days!

The following Terms & Conditions apply:

The conservation fee will be free at the entrance to any CapeNature reserve that is open to the public

Free day access will only apply at the reserve gate, no free access fee will apply when booking through the call centre and it excludes accommodation bookings

No prior bookings

Free access fee pertains to general access (conservation fee) and to all day activities (hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, horse riding). The waiver does NOT apply to concessions (including canopy tours, bouldering etc) or multi-day hikes

Access to Protected Areas during the CapeNature Access Week will be conducted during regular reserve hours and applies to entries at CapeNature reserve gates only

19 September 2016

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, has added the Naara Eco Lodge in Mozambique to the family of FTT-certified businesses. The Lodge, located located on the Nhambavale Lake in the village of Chidenguele, some 260km north of the capital of Maputo, offers 10 Luxury Safari Tents which are surrounded by the African indigenous bush and overlook the calm waters of the Nhambavale Lake as well as and the Natura Wellness Centre – a luxurious spa in a secluded forest alongside the dunes. Naara Eco Lodge prides itself on its involvement in the local Inhandime community and the initiatives it is undertaking, such as the installation of a deep well water system to provide villagers with access to clean water; the establishment of a community trading store and job creation programmes aimed at recruiting local staff and tourism guides. The Lodge also procures all of the produce used in creating its vibrant menus locally, lowering its carbon footprint while at the same time increasing entrepreneurial opportunities in the community. Naara Eco Lodge is solar powered and has an efficient waste management system.

15 September 2016

Iziko Museums of South Africa is offering free entry to all Iziko Museums during the annual in_Herit Festival, which will take place from 19 - 25 September 2016 in Cape Town. The festival highlights and celebrates South Africa's heritage; it includes talks, performances, lectures, exhibition openings and behind-the-scenes tours.

Iziko Museums of South Africa is a public entity and non-profit organisation that operates eleven national museums and three collection specific libraries* in Cape Town. *Bo-Kaap Museum, Groot Constantia Manor House, Koopmans-De Wet House, Maritime Centre, Michaelis Collection at the Old Town House, Planetarium, Rust en vreugd, SAS Sommerset, Slave Lodge, Social History Centre, South African Museum, South African National Gallery, Bertram House, William Fehr Collection at the Castle of Good Hope

14 September 2016

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has upgraded its free WiFi service at its nine airports* in South Africa. Passengers in the boarding areas of the airports now have either 4 hours of WiFi connection or 1 gigbyte of data available at no charge. When the complimentary four hours have lapsed or the one gigabyte of data is reached, users continue to use the WiFi service on a pay as you go basis. Purchased access can be used at any Airports@vast Hotspots throughout South Africa.

How you use the free WiFi at ACSA's airports in South Africa:

Search for the Airports@vast-network with your smartphone, tablet or laptop

Select Airports@vast from your device's WiFi search list

Open the web browser on your device

The web browser will be redirected to the Airports@vast-login page

Select complimentary access

Register with a valid email address

When registration is complete users can surf the web

*OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport in Cape Town, King Shaka International Airport in Durban, Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein, Upington Airport in Upington, Port Elizabeth International Airport in Port Elizabeth, East London Airport in East London, George Airport in George and Kimberley Airport in Kimberley.

According to the latest statistics released by the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa has lost at least 702 rhinos to illegal poaching since the beginning of 2016 (Jan - July 2015 = 796). Of the rhinos poached, 458 were killed in Kruger National Park. While poaching in Kruger National Park is on the decline (Jan - Aug 2015 = 557 rhinos), the number of rhinos poached has increased in a number of other South African provinces in comparison to the same period in 2015, such as KwaZulu Natal, Free State and the Northern Cape.

A total of 414 alleged poachers have been arrested in South Africa since 01 January 2016 – of which 177 were in Kruger National Park and 237 for the rest of the country. A total of 94 firearms have been seized inside Kruger National Park between 01 January and 31 August 2016.

08 September 2016

Namibia's flag carrier, Air Namibia, is set to introduce four weekly flights between Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek and King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban, South Africa, via Gaborone'sSir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE). Flights will commence on 30 October 2016.

07 September 2016

update (30 Nov 2016): According to the latest update of the Foreign travel advice - Zimbabwe (27 November 2016) by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (UK), the UNIVISA is still suspended!

According to the latest update of the Foreign travel advice - Zimbabwe (06 September 2016) by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (UK), the UNIVISA, which allows travellers to enter both Zimbabwe and Zambia using a dual visa, is currently suspended. It is advised to get a double entry visa for both countries if you are planning to travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia (more than one entry either way). Both Zimbabwe and Zambia issue double entry visas at ports of entry.Zimbabwe travel advice - GOVUK

Africa's only commercial whisky distillery, the James Sedgwick Distellery in Wellington, now offers tours and tastings on Fridays and Saturdays at 10:00 and again at 14:00. Tours are limited to 10 people at a time. Visitors are invited to explore the art of whisky-making and to learn about the rich history of the distillery spanning 130 years. The tour includes:

a whisky-cocktail on arrival

an informative video as an introduction to the James Sedgwick Distellery

an on-foot guided tour around the distillery to witness first-hand how the whiskies are crafted through the various stages from raw material to distillation to maturation

the tasting of three whiskies with five sample dishes at the tasting room

06 September 2016

Cape Town'sRobben Island Museum (RIM) in partnership with the National Department of Tourism (NDT) is hosting an "Open Day" on 24 September 2016 (Heritage Day). On this day, the Museum and the NDT are giving away 1600 free tickets to locals for a return trip to the island (including a prison tour on Robben Island). These free tickets will be issued to locals through community radio stations, local newspapers and non-profit organizations.

05 September 2016

According to aviation specialists airlineroute.net, Fastjet is set to resume flights between Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which serves the cities of Arusha and Moshi in northern Tanzania, and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya, on 03 November 2016. The airline will operate will operate two flights per week between the two destinations on board an Airbus A319.

02 September 2016

Namibia switches back to daylight saving time on 04 September 2016. The Namibian time therefore changes from UTC+1 to UTC+2. The official
time change will take place at 02:00am (from 02:00am to 03:00am). The time will not change in the Zambezi Region, as this area is not subject to summer and winter time changes. Daylight saving time in Namibia will end and summer time will beginn again on the first Sunday in April 2017 (02 April 2017).

Kenya's flag carrier, Kenya Airways, has introduced a shuttle bus service between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Nairobi'sCentral Business District. The KQ shuttle buses depart from the Sirios Car Park on Loita Street in Nairobi's CBD at 06:00, 11:00 and 17:00, while the service from the airport to the city departs at 09:00, 14:00 and 21:00. Tickets cost 1000KSh/person (GBP 7.30 | Euro 8.70 | USD 9.70 | ZAR142.00); passengers are allowed two pieces of luggage plus hand-held items. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is located about 15km (9 mi) southeast of Nairobi's central business district.

Namibia's Environment and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta has officially launched the 2015 tourist statistical report. According to the report, over 1.5 million foreign people arrived in Namibia in 2015. Out of the total foreign arrivals recorded, 1.38 million were tourists, 15 580 were returning (foreign) residents and 99 883 were same-day visitors. The top tourist markets for Namibia in 2015 include the country's direct neighbors Angola, Zambia and South Africa, as well as Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and France. About 43% of the tourists visited Namibia between May and September 2015, while 28.7% arrived between January and April 2015 and 28.3% arrived between October and December 2015. 31% of overseas tourists arrived in Namibia between July to September 2015.

Namibia recorded a 5% increase in tourist arrivals from 2014-2015 (2013-2014 12,2%)

45.6% of all arriving tourist were visiting friends and relatives in Namibia, 38.9% came for holiday and 12.9% visited for business purposes

According to the latest travel advice update by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (smartraveller.gov.au, 01 Sept 2016), the Australian Consulate in Maputo, Mozambique, is now operating from a new address.Australian Consulate in Maputo
Mr Blake Grey
Honorary Consul
Australian Consulate
Ave (Rua?) Kamba Simango, 71
Maputo
Mobile +258-21 302155
Email: australian.consulate.moz@gmail.com

The Australian Consulate in Mozambique is headed by Honorary Consul Mr Blake Grey and only provides limited consular and passport assistance.For full consular and passport assistance contact the Australian High Commission, in Pretoria, South Africa: